Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines & Its Verse Summary - Couverture souple

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0877040494 ISBN 13 : 9780877040491

Editeur : Four Seasons Foundation, 1973

Synopsis

After the Torah, the Koran and the Gospels, the Indian literature of "The Perfection of Wisdom" has had the greatest impact on the religious consciousness of mankind. Its composition extended for over seven hundred years, and here we offer the reader the first two works which were composed in South India between 100 B.C. and A.D. 100.

These documents are not only indispensable to those who wish to undersand the mentality of the East, they still carry a potent spiritual message; and those who desire to diminish their personal worries by the disciplined contemplation of spiritual truths could make no better choice.

". . .Finally one could also threat them as spiritual documents where are still capable of releasing spiritual insights among people separated from their original authors by two thousand years and vast disparities in intellectual and material culture. There is, however, a certain absurdity about interpreting spiritual matters in the abstract and in general terms, since everything depends on concrete conditions and the actual persons and their circumstances. Some will regard this literature as rather strange and alien, and may long for something more homespun. They will, I hope, allow me to retort with a remark that so endeared me to my students at Berkeley. Asked what Buddhism should do to become more acceptable to Americans, I used to enumerate with a smile a few concessions one might perhaps make respectively to the feminist, democratic, hedonistic, primivistic and anti-intellectual tendencies of American society. Though in the end I invariably recovered my nerve and reminded my listeners that it is not so much a matter of Dharma adjusting itself to become adaptable to Americans, but of Americans changing and transforming themselves sufficiently to become acceptable to the Lord Buddha." --Edward Conze, translator, preface.

Edward Conze (1904-1979) was an Anglo-German scholar best known for his translations of Buddist texts.

A propos du livre

Revue de presse

Edward Conze has published at least 3 translations of the Prajnaparamita or Perfection of Wisdom texts. These are attributed to Gautama Siddhartha, the historical Buddha. Numerous versions of various lengths of these sutras exist. The first of Conze's translations that I read was a collection of the shorter versions of the sutra. The present volume is a single, middle length version. It is often referenced or quoted or included in Bibliographies of Tibetan Buddhist works--which utilize or build upon its wisdom (especially the "emptiness" or dependent-arising nature of perceived reality). While I value the shorter version book, I consider this one vastly superior. It seems to be the version most referenced too. Dr. Conze also published a much longer version (25,000 lines) entitled, "The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom" which I own but have yet to read. These texts are not simple, easy reading, but they are profound, high philosophy and/or metaphysics concerning the nature of reality and the universe and humanity's place therein or relation thereto. They tend to link the so-called Mahayana (Great Vehicle) of Northern Buddhism to Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism). They are also a wonderful (and, perhaps essential) precursor for ventures into Kagyu Mahamudra and/or Nyingma Dzogchen teachings as well as the Tantric Buddhism or all 4 schools (these 2 plus Sakya and Gelugpa). I plan to keep them in my library. --By Neal J. Pollock

For those interested in the Mahayana this is the book! Webinger's review and advice say it well, if you find this translation to be difficult take a look at the Hixon 'translation'. Also, for the independent minded (some of the reviewers were tepid in this regard,) there are two Sutras, that are considered 'condensed' versions of the Prajnaparamita doctrines, which are very interesting and helpful. For those take a look at Red Pine's excellent translations of the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, both of which include selections from the commentaries of the Ancients. Good stuff! --By Amazon Customer

The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines and its Verse Summary is profound, and a treasure to study, there is so much Wisdom and good guidance in it, excellent too to read out loud in a group through turn taking. Nice to keep it wrapped in a silk cloth on an altar. Each time one reads it or repeats reading it, it's Wisdom deepens in the mind. It truly is a Blessing for mankind. May you enjoy it too, --By ulrike

Présentation de l'éditeur

After the Torah, the Koran and the Gospels, the Indian literature of "The Perfection of Wisdom" has had the greatest impact on the religious consciousness of mankind. Its composition extended for over seven hundred years, and here we offer the reader the first two works which were composed in South India between 100 B.C. and A.D. 100. These documents are not only indispensable to those who wish to undersand the mentality of the East, they still carry a potent spiritual message; and those who desire to diminish their personal worries by the disciplined contemplation of spiritual truths could make no better choice.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Four Seasons Foundation
• Date d'édition: 1973
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0877040494
• ISBN 13: 9780877040491
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 352
• Éditeur: Conze Edward
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible